Sanitation workers receive welfare benefits in Karaikudi

Madurai: As many as 3,700 sanitation workers and members of the Tamil Nadu Sanitary Workers Welfare Board Association in Karaikudi, received welfare benefits and identity cards from Thippampatti V Aruchamy, chairman of the welfare board, on Thursday.Educational welfare assistance was issued to three families, and 1,300 workers were to receive the benefits and ID cards subsequently, officials said. Aruchamy said the daily food scheme for sanitation workers, launched in early Feb, provided hygienic and nutritious food to sanitation workers across the state. In Karaikudi, food was distributed to workers during the event. He further conducted a field-level inspection of the scheme's implementation in various areas of Karaikudi. He said that measures were taken to ensure that the food supplied remained hot and safe for consumption. The chairman further said that 20 crore was allocated exclusively for the board. "Unlike other departments, the chief minister directed that the board's funds should be utilised solely for the welfare of sanitation workers," he said. During the event, workers raised several grievances, many of which related to housing. The chairman said that these issues would be brought to the notice of the officials in charge. He said that the board, established in 2007 by late chief minister, M Karunanidhi, provided a wide range of benefits, including accidental and natural death assistance, funeral aid, educational assistance, and marriage and maternity assistance. He urged workers to consistently use the safety equipment provided by the govt, avoid hazardous manual cleaning practices, make full use of the welfare assistance available, and prioritise their children's education and higher studies.